Today we’d like to introduce you to AJ Danna.
AJ, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I knew at a young age that I am an actor. Entertaining crowds and making people smile is something I’ve always felt very comfortable with. Throughout my childhood, I was influenced by the performances of classic voice actors like Paul Frees and Mel Blanc; hearing their work opened me up to the endless possibilities of the voiceover world. I recorded my first voice reel when I was five and set the stage for the rest of my life. I also began performing theatre in my youth and committed several years to training in varied performance mediums (improv comedy at The Groundlings and ComedySportz LA, on-camera acting, animation/commercial/ADR looping voiceover, etc.). I still perform in projects of all formats and embrace the opportunities.
One field that I have always particularly enjoyed is the art of “voice matching.” This refers to voiceover performances that embody pre-established characters (sort of like highly advanced impressions). Voice matching has many different uses in the voiceover world. I’ve always been drawn to it; even when I was a kid, I was making cassette tapes of myself imitating cartoon characters. I particularly admired the work of Disney voice actor Corey Burton, who once told me, “The key to being a good voice actor is being a good listener.” Developing the ear and skills for voice matching have been some of my greatest pleasures as a performer, especially considering the fun opportunities that come with them. It’s another way of tapping into what is “eternal” about storytelling when we can continue bringing beloved stories and characters to life. I am very grateful.
Has it been a smooth road?
While a full-time career in the arts is very rewarding and fulfilling, it’s not always the easiest path. I’ve found that one way to make the road smoother is to never lose sight of your true self, even when you’re not working in your desired field/job/environment. I believe there are benefits to be found in any job if you discover what you can gain, what you can give, and how you can find fulfillment. Even just the valuable gift of using your entertainment skills to make your customers and co-workers smile during stressful days is a fulfilling experience.
I have also found that, as an actor, you can learn a lot from those jobs – especially from working with the public. This can be useful in the voiceover world, where some types of storytelling like ADR/looping involve mimicking the sounds and lives of everyday people. In fact, I’ve heard from many actors that their first character/voice impression early in life was mimicking a family member, or a teacher, etc. The young actor, listening to real people on a day-to-day basis, instinctively absorbs nuances. You can still find inspiration all around you, no matter where you’re working or what your job is, which will continue to be beneficial in your storyteller’s toolbox.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
An actor, as a businessperson, is in the market of bringing you an emotional connection. I like to say that one of my goals in performing and creating is to live like a kid – and to help you live like a kid, too. We are the ones that have been given the keys to creating the very things that we grew up with: the things that shaped our dreams, morals, and memories. I find great meaning in the fact that we, as storytellers, are now in a position to bring life to the things that will influence the next generation. Art is a powerful tool and one that allows you to unlock emotions and experiences that you may not typically access in your everyday life. The emotional connection can play to your empathy, your nostalgia, or simply your funny bone – and I’m proud to be a part of that.
I am also proud of my work with Halloween entertainment. The way I’ve always seen Halloween is through a nostalgic lens; I find that many people have treasured Halloween memories from when they were children. It’s an easy way for you to still live like a kid. The same can often be said for genre stories, where you can experience creating monsters, facing fears, and imagining different worlds on a daily basis. That’s our business as storytellers, no matter what genre or project we’re involved with – and it’s a pleasure to take you along for the ride with us!
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Having been born and raised in the literal city of Hollywood, I have seen so much of my hometown demolished over the years. It has been disheartening to see history destroyed in the name of progress. Even on the “personal history” level, my childhood climbing trees were cut down, which cheats the next generation out of the nature I grew up around. However, the loss of those things simply motivates me further to connect with what never goes away: what is “eternal” about our city, and the entertainment industry.
Los Angeles is filled with creative people from all walks of life who all have stories to tell. The creativity found here is invigorating and always has been. That never goes away. We are all walking in the same places that our creative ancestors walked. Whether you are personally standing on the shoulders of actors, musicians, dancers, writers, painters, or the many other creators who came before us… chances are, they walked here. Los Angeles is a place where you get to step into the shoes of the ones that influenced you; and, in turn, you may become the influence on the next generation. It’s a truly beautiful thing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ajdanna.com
- Instagram: @ajdanna
Image Credit:
Joanna DeGeneres Photography
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